COVID-19 Information for Businesses

Goochland "e-Commerce" Grant funded by the Goochland Economic Development Authority

The Goochland County e-Commerce Grant Program is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is a joint undertaking by the Goochland County Economic Development Authority and the Office of Economic Development.

The Program to designed facilitate access to technology for small, for-profit private businesses physically located in the Goochland County. This program is available during the COVID-19 pandemic, and up to six months after the County declares that the emergency has ended.

Applications will be accepted starting April 20, and are awarded on a first come first serve basis. Click here (available April 20th) to fill out the application. You may ask questions or submit completed applications to Casey Verburg at cverburg@goochlandva.us or drop off at the County Administration Building (see application for details). Please note the building is not open to the public at this time, applicants must use drop box on the Sandy Hook side of the building.

Goochland Board of Supervisors Response

The Goochland Board of Supervisors, recognizing the need to support the Goochland business community during these difficult times, took several actions at their April 7th meeting:

Delay in Machinery and Tools and Business Personal Property tax billing: Goochland County will be delaying the billing of 2020 machinery and tools and business personal property tax until December 5, 2020. The Commissioner of the Revenue was scheduled to bill the first half of the 2020 machinery and tools and business personal property in May however, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, all (both parts) of the 2020 machinery and tools and business personal property will be due on December 5, 2020. Goochland County understands the need for businesses to be able to keep their cash in their business during this uncertain time and hopes that the delay of certain tax billings will assist businesses.

Goochland County waiving requirements for temporary signage: In an effort to allow local restaurants and businesses to advertise, beginning immediately, Goochland County businesses can install banners and temporary signs letting the public know they are open for business. No permits or fees are required for these temporary signs and no enforcement action will be taken during this time.

Suspended Water and Sewer Shutoffs for both Commercial and Residential customers: Goochland County has suspended shut-offs for any county utility customer, so customers will continue to have water and sewer services even if they are unable to pay their bills in full.

The Virginia 30 Day Fund is designed to be quick, easy, and free of red tape, as small business owners work to keep employees on board in the near term. All we ask in return: if you can, pay it forward.

Please click here for the additional information on the program and application.

Capital Region Workforce Board Grant

The Commonwealth of Virginia awarded the Capital Region Workforce Board a grant from a reserve of federal dislocated worker funds to assist small business with certain costs related to the COVID19 crisis that might help them meet certain needs and/or divert expenses in other areas as a form of assistance. Examples provided by the state include paying for cleaning services so companies can stay open, paying for cleaning supplies, or purchasing items that can assist employees in teleworking. Other COVID19 related items can be considered on a case-by-case.

Details:

Available to businesses with less than 250 employees

Grants are award by reimbursement - the business must first incur the cost and present proof of payment to get reimbursed

Equipment reimbursement value must be under $5,000

Wage reimbursement is not part of this program

Reimbursement is available for allowable cost incurred March 1, 2020 - August 31, 2020.

There are limited funds available - funds will be disbursed on a first-come-first served basis

Please click here for the application. Submit applications directly to Brian Davis dav113@henrico.uswith the Capital Region Workforce Development Board. Contact Goochland County Economic Development department if you need assistance with printing or emailing the form or if you have questions.

CARES Act

PPP - More funding available as of 4/27/2020 - Contact a SBA approved lender to start the application process

The federal government passed a far-ranging designed to provide economic relief from COVID-19. The Act is very broad, but includes a number of key provisions relevant to employers and workers, including:

Payroll Protection Program - Loans to help cash flow for “small” businesses and nonprofits with 500 employees or less; the amount of the loan can be up to 2 ½ times your average monthly payroll (up to a maximum of $10 million); importantly, a significant portion of these loans will be forgiven for businesses that retain or rehire employees between now and June 30

Small Business Administration Emergency Disaster Loan and Grant Program - Provides loans to struggling businesses

Helpful Information

PAYROLL PROTECTION PROGRAM

The Paycheck Protection Program is specifically designed to help small businesses keep their workforce employed.

For small businesses and other entities, the Payroll Protection Program, can be very important. Not only does the loan provide immediate cash to keep your business afloat, but an amount equal to the total of your payroll, health insurance costs, mortgage interest, and rent incurred for 8 weeks after your loan will be converted to a grant upon submission of documentation. Additional details about these loans is laid out in a document prepared by the U.S Chamber of Commerce.

The program will be available retroactive from Feb. 15, 2020, so employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees through June 30, 2020.

Loan Terms & Conditions

Eligible businesses: All businesses, including non-profits, Veterans organizations, Tribal concerns, sole proprietorships, self-employed individuals, and independent contractors, with 500 or fewer employees, or no greater than the number of employees set by the SBA as the size standard for certain industries

Maximum loan amount up to $10 million

Loan forgiveness if proceeds used for payroll costs and other designated business operating expenses in the 8 weeks following the date of loan origination (due to likely high subscription, it is anticipated that not more than 25% of the forgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs)

All loans under this program will have the following identical features:

Interest rate of 1%

Maturity of 2 years

First payment deferred for six months

100% guarantee by SBA

No collateral

No personal guarantees

No borrower or lender fees payable to SBA

In order to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program, you must go through a certified SBA lender. You can find eligible lenders by going to this SBA website. We encourage you reach out immediately because demand is likely to be huge.

Payroll Protection Program Documents

Small Business Administration Disaster Loan and Grant Program - only available to Agricultural Businesses

Small businesses, private non-profit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) since Jan. 31, 2020, may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.

Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private nonprofit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship

The Commonwealth of Virginia is now officially listed and classified as an “eligible” area. We encourage Goochland County businesses interested in submitting an application for financing through the SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Assistance Program to begin completing the application. The number assigned to the state of Virginia for the emergency declaration is VA-00087. General guidance on the SBA Disaster Loan process can be found here.

Items Required for Applications:

Loan application (SBA Form 5), completed and signed (this is electronic/online in the portal). To see what the form looks like, an example can be found here.

Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506-T), completed and signed by each applicant, each principal owning 20 percent or more of the applicant business, each general partner or managing member; and, for any owner who has more than 50 percent ownership in an affiliate business. Affiliates include, but are not limited to, business parents, subsidiaries, and/or other businesses with common ownership or management.

Complete copies, including all schedules, of the most recently filed Federal income tax returns for the applicant business; an explanation if not available

Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413) completed, signed, and dated by the applicant, each principal owning 20 percent or more of the applicant business, and each general partner or managing member

Agricultural Resources

AFT’s Farmer Relief Fund will award farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis.

Initially, eligible applicants include any small and mid-size direct-market producers. These are defined as producers with annual gross revenue of between $10,000 and $1 million from sales at farmers markets and/or direct sales to restaurants, caterers, schools, stores, or makers who use farm products as inputs.

The application is simple and easy to complete but includes sufficient detail to ensure AFT is awarding producers that have the greatest needs. Applicants will be asked to estimate their financial loss.

AFT envisions an initial application round extending until April 23, with grants beginning to be made by May 1.

Virginia MarketMaker

MarketMaker is the largest and most in-depth database of its kind featuring a diverse community of food-related businesses: buyers, farmers/ranchers, fisheries, farmers markets, processors/packers, wineries, restaurants and more. MarketMaker provides simple yet powerful search tools to connect with others across the production and distribution chain.

If you are not currently selling your product online, MarketMaker offers a free platform to begin online sales.

E-Commerce for Direct Farm Marketers (Publication provided by University of Tennessee Extension) E-commerce, in particular, is an emerging tool for direct farm marketers. The e-commerce educational program aimed to give direct farm marketers a better understanding of the basic concepts of e-commerce, software options for online sales, potential software uses and the benefits and challenges associated with each e-commerce platform.

Online Sales Platforms for Farmers(Webinar recording provided by Oregon Tilth) With restaurants and some farmers markets shutting down, we know many of you need to find alternative sales channels for your products. Customers are also looking for new solutions to buy quality, organic food safely. Watch this webinar to learn more about direct-to-consumer online sales platforms. Hear from representatives from four online food sales platforms: Barn2Door, Harvie, Local Food Marketplace, Food4All, Open Food Network

Tips for Selling on the Internet(Publication Provided by ATTRA) The Internet is a communication and marketing tool that can provide exposure to a large number of potential customers. This tip sheet highlights the advantages, considerations, useful tips, and key questions you should ask yourself when considering selling your products via the Internet.

Other Loans

Other sba loans

Express Bridge Loan - The Express Bridge loan program allows SBA Express lenders to provide expedited financing to small businesses located in declared disaster areas. Express Bridge loans are intended to be interim loans. Businesses use these funds for disaster-related purposes while they apply for and await long-term financing.

Employment Opportunities

If you are a business who is currently hiring or if you have been laid off due to to COVID19 impacts, see Virginia Career Works new website connecting businesses to employees during this difficult time.

Businesses - If you are hiring, please contact the Economic Development Department to get your openings posted.

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has directed regulated electric, natural gas and water companies in Virginia to suspend service disconnections until the coronavirus outbreak subsides. Learn more here.

Several internet and cellular service providers are providing resources and relief for those affected by COVID-19: AT&T, Comcast and Verizon.